Réjean Aucoin has been practising law for more than 30 years and is a recognized leader in the Acadian community of Chéticamp and in the province of Nova Scotia. Prior to practising law, he worked as a journalist, radio producer, writer, and community development officer. From 2004 to 2007, he also served as a part-time board member of the Parole Board of Canada.
His character-defining enthusiasm and convictions concerning the French-speaking Acadian community led him to found the Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse in 1994, of which he is currently past president. Mr. Aucoin is also the founder and president of the Conseil économique de Chéticamp. Both organizations have fostered the development and vitality of the region’s Acadian community. He has also served as vice-president of the Fédération des associations de juristes d’expression française de common law, vice-president of the Société nationale de l’Acadie, vice-president of the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, vice-president of the Community Radio Fund of Canada, and president of the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada.
His work and his community engagement have won him numerous distinctions, including the 2017 Lawyer’s Award of the Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse, the Community Development Award from the Nova Scotia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and the community partner award of the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada. He was also named volunteer of the year by the Société Saint-Pierre de Chéticamp and recipient of the Léger Comeau certificate of merit from the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse. Mr. Aucoin was appointed King’s Counsel in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Laws from the Université de Moncton.